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Nov 30, 2010

So I did it -- I sold a sewing machine yesterday! I am loathe to tell you which one for fear it might be your favorite and I don't want to cause a ruckus. OK, it was my Singer Genie. I know many of you love the Genie and I loved mine too. But I never used it. I have three other Singers, albeit without the irresistible flower-power details.

Nov 28, 2010

Readers, I must provide some backstory to yesterday's post. I used to have a lot of clutter -- no, not clutter exactly. Stuff. And I've gotten rid of tons of it, primarily on eBay and Craigslist, but also through donations to thrift stores and just throwing stuff out.

Nov 27, 2010

Friends, one of the leitmotifs of my life is the continuing battle against chaos. It's challenging, living in a Manhattan apartment, no matter how spacious relatively speaking, to find room for two chihuahuas, twelve sewing machines (fourteen if you count the sergers), two adult men and a glamorous cousin who likes to crash at a moment's notice and rarely picks up after herself.

Nov 25, 2010

Nov 24, 2010

Friends, it was time. I have received so many comments and questions about topstitching, specifically with regard to my Kwik Sew men's jeans and Western jacket, that I decided it was time to do something about it. The result is this movie.

Nov 23, 2010

Readers, when you sew all day and write a sewing blog, it's easy to lose perspective.

Before I learned how to sew, I didn't know anybody who even owned a sewing machine. Today, I shun anyone who can't use the word presser foot in a sentence, and if they don't know what a feed dog is, I'm not interested. I think it's totally normal to sew bras, girdles, and crinolines, moreover, and snicker at the men who don't. I just assume everyone sews.

Nov 21, 2010

Friends, I hope you agree that with these Kwik Sew men's jeans I have successfully achieved the "snug and shapely mono-bun" that MBP readers favor by a wide margin according to Friday's "denimed derriere" poll.

Nov 19, 2010

Adult readers and supervised teens, let's face it: there's not a whole lot of controversy about the fit of the front of men's jeans. It's two pockets and a fly. Sometimes the waistband covers the bellybutton, usually it's an inch or two below. Unless you're a hustler (or a rustler), it's all pretty standard stuff.

Nov 15, 2010

The Yé-yé girls were a breed of popular singers in the Sixties, primarily in France, but later in other parts of Europe, Canada, and even Japan. They all shared a few common traits: they were young, they were pretty, they had long straight hair, and they couldn't sing very well.

Nov 14, 2010

Friends, the stars were aligned yesterday. The weather was perfect, Cathy awoke with less eye puffiness than usual, and knee socks were in abundance at my local Duane-Reade drugstore! (Worn over tights, they cleverly combine chic and warmth.)

Nov 12, 2010

WARNING: this post includes images of extreme pattern boldness that may cause nausea, blurred vision, or vertigo. MPB assumes no responsibility for any injuries incurred by readers. If symptoms persist consult your doctor.

Nov 10, 2010

I now have a beautiful sister-in-law, Prachee (who's totally bi-cultural, btw), an open invitation to Mumbai (Bombay) from Prachee's mother, and lingering symptoms from what I thought was caffeine and sugar withdrawal but turns out to have been a rather tenacious stomach flu.

Nov 6, 2010

Nov 5, 2010

Friends, I'd like to introduce you to NewMale Pattern Boldness -- caffeine free, low in sugar, and remarkably gentle in your wash cycle. Sadly it remains as calorie dense as ever and dangerously high in sodium, but our staff scientists are working on it.

Nov 4, 2010

Good morning, goths, punks and other disaffected subcultures who may or may not hang out in shopping malls and scare the rest of us. Yesterday's comments reminded me that I have a much more diverse readership than I'd ever imagined. How you found me I'll never know but welcome just the same. Especially you poor unloved Emos.

Nov 3, 2010

Readers, as little as I know about fashion, I know even less about fashion subcultures. But I would like to learn and I need your help.

I've always been intrigued by groups of people who like to dress in unusual ways and hang out together. I know a lot of groups have found their inspiration in rock bands. Since the last band I listened to was The Partridge Family, I'm way out of the loop.

Nov 2, 2010

Imagine my surprise when I received an email yesterday from an enthusiastic new reader in Louisiana telling me I had helped convince her to buy a vintage Singer straight stitch sewing machine! I know I've been spreading the vintage sewing machine meme, but I never thought anybody was actually paying attention.

I thought this might be a good time to offer clear guidelines on buying a vintage sewing machine: the how, what, when, and where. (I've covered the why here.) I know many of you will have points to add, and I invite you to do so in the comments below.

Nov 1, 2010

Good morning, everybody, and Happy Day of the Dead to those (living) who celebrate it. I don't know about the weather where you live, but here in New York it's getting cold. Almost too cold for a velveteen jacket.

a boy, a dream, and 10+ sewing machines

I'm a native New Yorker and sewing fanatic! I started sewing in 2009 and today make all my own clothes using vintage sewing machines and vintage patterns, in addition to sewing for private clients. Welcome to the warm and whimsical world of Male Pattern Boldness, where the conversation is sewing, style, fashion, fabric, and more!